Reading

Do you find a book you like and then want to read all the books by that author?  It happens to me often and I just did it again.  The author was Curtis Sittenfeld and this was the first book that hooked me in.

I won't lie, I liked the cover and when I read the description, I thought it would be a good read.  I really liked this book - it's a mirror of the life of Laura Bush - beginning with childhood and ending when "Alice" leaves the White House - very interesting.  

So, then, I moved on the only other book the library had by Ms. Sittenfeld - I really liked this one too, the tale of identical twin sisters who both share ESP powers, this story also begins in childhood and continues on to adulthood - the two sisters are complete opposites in life - but share that unmistakable bond of twins.  

After reading two books, I wanted more so I had the library order the other two for me - not so good, it was all downhill from there.  I read them but didn't really enjoy them, especially "Prep" which was a Best Seller book - it was torture to get through, "Man of My Dreams" was only marginally better.

Last night I started this one, I really like it, I read seventy five pages last night,   but I'm safe, I've already read the author's two other books.

For the first time, I'm linking up with Literary Friday - maybe I'll find a new author to try!  

Easter, St.Patrick's & Halloween

I covered a few occasions in that title, didn't I?  We went away on an overnight trip this past weekend, of course, that involves checking out a couple of local thrifts and also two antique markets - I didn't get anything big but what I did buy makes me really happy!!  It was a fun mini trip, the only bad thing, my iPhone fell down the stairs on Friday and it's kaput, I need a new one ASAP!!  I'm only glad I have my iPad!!!  It's really sad how dependent we are on these devices, and I'm not ashamed to say, that includes me!!

For some reason lately,  I am loving these old honeycomb decorations - I bought three at one of the markets, they were 20% off so I paid next to nothing.  One is made in Denmark, one in US and one in Japan, they all came in the original bag too.  How cute are these??

I had these little Lefton pixies picked up, put them back down and then picked them back again, I'm glad I came to my senses - they'll look cute next to the honeycomb!  They were a thrift purchase.

I have been so jealous when I read about the Halloween Beistle die cut decorations, no more  - I have one of my own!!!

Joining today with Thriftasaurus ,  The Nifty Thrifty and We Call it Junkin

My Favourite Pyrex

How did your Pyrex collection begin?  Mine began back in 2010, I read an article about it and that set me off on a hunt for just any piece of Pyrex I could find, it didn't matter if I liked it or not, I had to buy it!!!  I have since come to my senses, I don't need every piece out there and most importantly, I don't have the space for it.  I love every piece I have though and I have quite a few patterns, promotionals, carafes,  bowls galore, casseroles...  I'm not lacking in the Pyrex department, that's for sure!! 

 

My first piece was my Mom's big yellow bowl from the primary set - what was your first piece?  Believe me, it didn't take me long to find the whole set, thrifted, of course.  She  had the Colonial Mist set of mixing bowls and the Autumn Harvest Bake, Serve and Store set - I would never give any of those away.  At one time I also had a Colonial Mist Cinderella bowl set, what was I thinking, those bowls  take up so much space, I've since sold it!!

So, do you have a favourite piece of Pyrex?  I have a few - but the Charcoal Snowflake pieces have to be my very favourite, I need one more piece - the 1.5 quart casserole.  I have never seen one of these in a thrift, I was lucky enough to find them over time in antique shops when I was away on trips - it'll just be luck if I ever find that other piece.

Fridgies are probably my favourite pieces - they're definitely my most used pieces - these are my complete sets, but I have more individual ones...  These fridgies would be my Pyrex weakness, I think I HAVE to buy them!!

I like my Moon Deco too - it's a special one, my son gave it to me for Christmas.

I have one piece of Pyrex that came in the original box - this "Big Bertha" Homestead casserole - my daughter found it at a thrift - it's so great to cook a ham in.

I would love to have more Christmas themed Pyrex, but I consider myself lucky to have this one lone piece.  Christmas Pyrex is just not something I ever hope to see at a thrift shop, but I can hope....but until then, I'll put this beautiful Golden Leaf out every year!

When you are a new collector, the hunt for Pyrex can be so much fun, oh, to see one of those beauties sitting at the thrift store for cheap - it made for some perfect days!!

Joining in at Vintage Thingie Thursday, Share Your Cup Thursday and Thriftasaurus

February 15th

It was a long weekend here in Ontario, Family Day, it's so nice to get a break in the middle of winter and to make it even nicer, the house was full, both kids were home with their partners.  It was busy, Valentines Day on Friday and a half marathon on Sunday for the girls, but I didn't forget the 15th, which would have been Mom's 77th birthday..

I found this card that she was given when she was born..

I wonder who the card was from, they only put Mom's name on the card.

Here's a sweet picture, taken when she was nine years old.

Guess I best include a picture of Mom and I - how serious are we?  

Just a little tribute to my Mom... hope you all had a great weekend!

Linking up with We Call it Junkin

Cute Old Valentines

I don't have many items to put out for Valentines Day, but my kitchen has lots of red in it all the time, so I guess that counts for something!  I've been seeing lots of Valentine posts of cute displays, well, I've already shared that other years and this year not much has changed at my place!  But, I have been collecting up a few vintage Valentines, so thought I'd share a few of my favourites with you.  

Printed in Germany - to Norbert

To Roland, from Anita

From Patricia Ryan

To Helen, From Ruth Jelen

These two were unused

1st Grade, Mary from Aunt Cleo & Uncle George

To Kay, from Reva - 1949

This one is a mechanical Valentine - to Roland from Wilma - made in Germany

These two Baby's First Valentines were given to me on my first Valentines Day - quite a few years ago!!!

I share this beautiful old honeycomb Valentine every year, because it's just the prettiest and definitely, the nicest thing I have.   It's also German made, an older lady gave it to me, it came from her family, so I know it's old.  I put it out every year.

Just in case you're interested, here are my Valentine posts from last year - here and here.

It's a red post, so I have to link up with Rednesday, also We Call it Junkin and Thriftasaurus - head on over and check them out.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I was so sick of the look of those last few Christmas cookies that were still hanging around, I just had to bake something new, and I did, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  I like this recipe because it's easy, they're good and it makes a small batch.  This recipe comes from my Company's Coming Cookies Book from 1988.  I bet you'll like them too, if you try them...

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 cups rolled oats

1 c. raisins

Cream butter and sugar together.  Beat in egg and vanilla.

Add remaining ingredients.  Mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet(I always use parchment paper, no greasing involved)  Bake in 350 oven for 8-10 minutes. Makes 3 1/2 dozen.  

Linking up with Junkin Joe

Me and The Simpsons Sears Winter Catalogue, 1968

I was looking at my bin of old magazines and catalogues today, I haven't shared any of those catalogues for a while, so, here we go,  with the Simpsons Sears Fall and Winter book of 1968.  I was ten years old in 1968...

My orlon pile fur was very similar to the green jacket on the lower left, it even had the fringe on the bottom.  Wasn't that a serviceable jacket - it could only be dry cleaned!

Of course, I had a Sunday coat for Sunday School and "good" - that's me and Mom - notice my behive hat and mitts to match, Mom made those.

Surely I wasn't still wearing those strapper type overboots when I was ten, I don't know but I know mine were never red, they were boring brown!   At one time I had a pair of those simulated seal skin boots, I must have been the height of fashion, or thought I was!!!

Hot pink must have been the in color that year, I remember getting that shirtdress and stockings for my birthday - I think this must be after those other pictures, my hair is cut.  Remember fiberglass curtains, that's what my grandmother had hanging there.    And the stretch slim plants with the attached footstraps, like stirrup pants, I guess - I'm sitting there with my Dad - notice the curtains again and chair.

There's a set just like the one we had.

This is the exact curtains that are hanging on the livingroom window on the above picture - they're in the little picture on the right.

There's a few other things I remember - 

Striped sheets on my bed..

A big old orange piece of glassware on the coffee table, sitting on a doily.

The woodgrain kitchen set - we never had the 3 way dispenser or the matching garbage can - just the breadbox and canister set.

I was surprised to see these dishes on the lower left - I don't have to remember these at all, I can just go to the basement and open a container - they belonged to my grandmother and are supposed to be Carla's, well, they're still sitting here......

Hope you enjoyed a little look back to 1968 - it's always fun.

I'm linking up with Dawn at We Call it Junkin - she also has some old ads up today from the 60's,  check it out.

Pinned & Liked from Pinterest - Pork or Chicken Fried Rice

I've made this chicken fried rice twice now, twice in a couple of weeks, as a matter of fact - it's that good!  Both times I've used chicken because that is just what I prefer over pork.  This recipe is on my Made from Pinterest board, originally pinned from All Recipes - the nice thing about All Recipes is you can change the servings and they give you the correct amount of ingredients to use - very handy.  I made it for two and it was just enough for us!    The recipe I am showing is for two..

1 tbsp. butter

1 (6 oz) boneless pork loin chop, cut into small pieces ( I used two boneless skinless chicken thighs)

1/4 c. chopped carrot

1/4 c. chopped broccoli

1 green onion, chopped

1/4 c. frozen peas (you can't see the peas in the picture because I forgot to put them in).  I posted this pic on  my Instagram  

1 egg, beaten

1 c. cold cooked rice( the first time I used wholegrain brown rice, this time I used jasmine rice)

4 1/2 tsp. soy sauce ( I use the reduced salt version)

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Cook and stir pork or chicken, carrot, broccoli, peas and green onion in melted butter until meat is cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes.  Remove the mixture to a bowl and return skillet to medium heat.

Scramble egg in the skillet until completely set.  Return the mixture to the skillet.  Stir rice, soy sauce, garlic powder and ground ginger into the mixture, cook and stir until heated thoroughly, 7 to 10 minutes.  

Easy and so tasty!!!!